Norfolk, Va. - The Old Dominion University women's rowing team announced its inaugural fall schedule today, a slate that includes four races for the Lady Monarchs who will begin competing as a varsity sport this year.

"I'm thrilled to have our fall schedule in place," said head coach Heather Weisel who was chosen last August to lead the upstart varsity program."It's been an amazing experience putting the team together and to have the fall race schedule become a reality means we are close to getting started.Our fall race schedule has a good mix of races that we will not only learn from, but will also give us the opportunity to race some of the best teams in the country early on."

ODU will open the fall campaign on Oct. 18 at the prestigious Head of the Charles in Boston.The world's largest two-day rowing event, the Head of the Charles attracts more than 300,000 spectators and 7,500 athletes from around the world competing in 55 different race events.

Following the Head of the Charles, the Lady Monarchs return home for the Head of the Lafayette hosted by the Hampton Roads Rowing Club on Oct. 25.Only the ODU novice rowers will compete at this 5,000 meter head race on the Lafayette River.

"The Head of the Lafayette gives us an opportunity to race on our home water.We are hoping to invite more area college teams to join us for a fun Halloween regatta with an exciting U-turn at its half-way mark," added Weisel.

The Lady Monarchs will remain in state for their third race of the fall season, the Head of the Occoquan (Nov. 1) at Fairfax Station.Sponsored by the Occoquan Boat Club, this race is one of the largest end of season regattas in the country.

The Rivanna Romp on Nov. 8 in Charlottesville, Va. concludes the fall slate for ODU.

"The Head of the Charles and the Rivanna Romp put us in competition with some of the fastest crews in the nation.These are important events for us to learn how to race at that level.We are taking on that challenge right from the beginning because the goal is to develop into a national caliber team."